St. Stepanos Monastery was an Armenian monastery located near Tivi village (Ordubad district) of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan.[1] The monastery was located some 2 km south of Tivi village,[1] on high ground in the abandoned village of Navush.[2]
| St. Stepanos Monastery | |
|---|---|
| St. Stepanos Monastery of Navush | |
Սուրբ Ստեփանոս անապատ | |
| Location | Tivi |
| Country | Azerbaijan |
| Denomination | Armenian Apostolic Church |
| History | |
| Status | Destroyed |
| Founded | 11–12th centuries |
| Architecture | |
| Demolished | 1997–2006 |
History
The monastery was founded in the 11–12th centuries, its apse contains 15th century cross-stones (khachkars). An Armenian inscription on the tympanum attests that the church was renovated in 1677.[2][3][4]
Architecture
In Armenian manuscripts, St. Stepanos is referred as both a hermitage and a monastery. One of the first mentions of St. Stepanos is in a colophon of a gospel that was copied in 1489 and restored in the monastery. The monastery was a basilica with gabled roof and had a nave and two aisles. In the apse and two vestries were secret chambers.[2][3]
Destruction
The monastery was razed to ground at some point between 1997 and June 15, 2006, as documented by investigation of the Caucasus Heritage Watch.[1]